SEC trio named Davey O’Brien semifinalists as top college football quarterback

Eighteen semifinalists were named Thursday, including three from the SEC, for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award.

According to the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee, Alabama’s Jalen Hurts, Texas A&M’s Trevor Knight and Chad Kelly of Ole Miss are Davey O’Brien semifinalists, although only one will be up for the award.

According to the release, two extra Davey O’Brien semifinalists were named because Knight and Kelly are out for the season with injuries.

Knight has a right shoulder injury, but could be back for the bowl game. Kelly is out for the season with a knee injury.

Hurts, a freshman, has top-ranked Alabama primed for another trip to the College Football Playoff. A dual-threat quarterback, Hurts has racked up 2,320 yards of total offense, including 1,685 through the air and 635 rushing. He has completed 62.3 percent (139-of-223) of his with 12 touchdowns compared to six interceptions.

The semifinalists were named based on selections from a committee, as well as fan voting.